Vaccine development for group A streptococcus infections and associated disease.

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is responsible for a number of diseases ranging from uncomplicated pharyngitis through to life-treating invasive and post-infectious diseases such as necrotizing fasciitis and rheumatic heart disease. GAS associated diseases occur globally and are serious problems in many developing nations and indigenous populations of many developed nations. This, and the resurgence in industrialized countries, and increased virulence of GAS in the 1980s highlight the need of cost-effective control strategies. Here we highlight the GAS diseases that are still a problem in many populations and discuss potentially useful strategies to combat GAS infections and disease.